Ron Scholten wins SURF Research Support Champion Award

Research Data Manager Ron Scholten has won the SURF Research Support Champion Award 2024 and the audience award. The prize was awarded on 30 May.

Ron Scholten received the award from SURF for his work on YOUth (the Utrecht cohort study on child development) and for Yoda, a research data management service developed at Utrecht University and now also used by various other universities.

Jury: great impact

The jury describes Ron Scholten as pivotal in the YOUth study, where he ensures the storage, validation, and careful provision of sensitive data about young children. "He has expertise in privacy, security and Research Data Management (RDM) and plays a crucial role in bringing people together from different functions and departments. Ron has championed the correct application of GDPR guidelines and has had a major impact on the RDM system Yoda, with national influence and stakeholder interest."

I was a bit surprised but also elated. Not just for myself, but also for the people with whom we achieved this.